New Mexico State Replacing Stadium Grass with Turf

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University has started removing the grass from Aggie Memorial Stadium as the Las Cruces school prepares to replace it with artificial turf this summer.

NMSU officials say artificial turf will allow campus and community groups to use the field year-round for concerts and other events because growing grass won't need to be protected during the football offseason.

The Las Cruces reports that the artificial turf will cost more than $1.3 million, most of which will come from a $1 million donation from Stan Fulton.

Installation was temporarily delayed by Western burrowing owls which live in the stadium. Crews will work around the nests as the hatchlings grow, waiting to install turf nearby until the young birds can fly.